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![[Identifying Distributions]](_images/icon-distribution.svg "Identifying Distributions")
Identifying Distributions
This web page gives you practice in identifying distributions and their parameters. It is extremely important for you to be able to do this. It shows an understanding of the distributions covered in the course.
Purpose
Welcome to the page that helps you identify distributions and parameters. Below, you will find a graphic of a distribution. Your job is to determine the following about that distribution:
- the type of distribution (discrete or continuous)
- the name of the distribution
- the number of parameters it has
- the name of those parameters
- the values of those parameters
Distribution Graphic
Answers
Hover over the grey boxes to see the correct answer.
| Distribution Type | Discrete | |
| Distribution Name | Binomial | |
| Number of Parameters | 2 | |
| Parameter Name(s) | n (number of trials) p (success probability) | |
| Parameter Value(s) | n (number of trials) = 4 p (success probability) = 0.5 |
Explanation
The sample space is from 0 to 4. That means this is a discrete distribution. Of the two discrete distributions we know, only the Binomial is finite (the Poisson has no upper bound).
The Binomial distribution has two parameters: n (number of trials) and p (success probability). Here, n = 4, the largest value of the sample space.
The success probability is more difficult to determine from the graphic. We know, however, that the expected value of a Binomial random variable is np. From the graphic, it appears as though the mean is somewhere around 2. Thus, p ≈ 0.5.
Another Example
Let’s try another example. Click “Refresh” in your browser to get another graphic.